OSHA Accident Investigation · Summary #14240436
TODD SHIPYARD
GALVESTON, TX·
Event description
Employee dies of asphyxia in oxygen deficient tank
Investigation abstract
Employee #1 and his supervisor, both members of a labor union, were working with atmosphere having been tested to ensure that the space contained at least 16.5 percent oxygen. two members of a boilermakers union. The boilermakers had been assigned to open tank tops and the laborers were to sound the tanks to determine what and how mu ch they contained. Employee #1 was told by his supervisor to sound the lower bli ster tank, #B-80-1-V, on the port side of the battleship Texas. Because the lowe r blister tank is shaped like a banana, the tank gauge cannot reach the bottom, so Employee #1 had to enter the compartment to get a sounding. While attempting to secure a reading, Employee #1 died of asphyxia. Employee #1 had been allowed to enter the tank, which had been sealed for approximately 40 years, without the
Victim
-
#1 Fatality Age 36 M
- Nature of injury
- Asphyxia (2)
- Part of body
- BODYSYSTEM (4)
- Accident type
- INHALATION (8)
- Source of injury
- GASES (19)
- Occupation
- Occupation not reported (999)
- Human factor
- MALFUNC IN SECURING/WARNING OP (4)
- Environmental factor
- GAS/VAPOR/MIST/FUME/SMOKE/DUST (7)
- Task assigned
- Task regularly assigned (1)
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